Above, from left, are Derrick Champagne of Shelton, Bill Farmer of Shelton, Charlie Hagerty of New Jersey, Mark Zito of Shelton and Steve Seyer of Shelton. (Photo by Brad Durrell)

“It’s a chance to experience different brewers, hang out with friends, eat wings and drink beer,” said Champagne, whose wife is active with the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club that organizes the event, now in its second year.

Like many attendees, the men are wearing pretzel necklaces, a tradition among some craft beer festival fans. People eat the pretzels during the course of the event. “It quenches the palate,” Hagerty said.

And some good timing was involved with the event — the rain stopped just as Hoptoberfest was about to begin. There also is live music. Look for more photos from Hoptoberfest in the coming days on this website.